I can never say I have travelled too ‘much’ because every trip I have made, whether I go back to the same place or not, I learnt something new. I made new friends and reconnected with old ones. In today’s day and age, we are fed with so much digital information that my dad used to say that he could travel the world without leaving the comfort of his sofa. This can be true to a certain extent but how much have they learnt and how much have they experienced? Do they know the difference between what is real and what is reel?
Travelling empowers us. It puts us in unfamiliar territory with people who have no knowledge of our past, no prejudice and no judgement as we assess and reassess our priorities. So I urge you to put down everything you are holding on to dearly now and “see the world as it is more interesting than any dream made or paid for in factories” as Ray Bradbury puts it.
1. You Confront Your Fears
I put this point first on this list because I am firmly believe that the fear of (doing) something are often the obstacle that hinders our personal growth. Andrew Smith once said, “People fear what they don’t understand and hate what they can’t conquer.” Whenever you go on a holiday, there will always be something you do not like, or something you do not wish to do. Maybe the fear of water is preventing you from trying out scuba diving or going on a beach holiday. When was the last time you did something for the first time?
2. You Learn More About Yourself and Others
Whether you are travelling alone, with a partner or with a group friends, you learn what is patience, compromise and grace. Everyone has their own idiosyncrasies. Even your most familiar travel buddies can surprise you in ways you never knew about them. In today’s fast changing world, everyone is learning and changing and there is always something to learn about from one another. On a sidenote, not everyone is a good travel buddy and so here is a practical tip from Ernest Hemingway, “Do not go on a trip with anyone you do not love.”
3. You Are The Boss
When you are travelling, you are in charge of every aspect of your life. From the time you wake up to the time you rest your feet. You might have a list of things to do and places to visit. Are you a flexible easy-going person where plans may change according to circumstances or are you a task-oriented person that you follow your pre-trip plans to a tee? Find out for yourself.
4. You Make New Friends And Learn New Cultures.
As the saying goes, No Man Is An Island and nothing could be further from the truth. Making new friends is a natural art of all humans. We meet people, communicate and exchange ideas and views. We may never be able to experience all the cultures in the world but we can certainly stand on the shoulders of giants to help illuminate the path in front of us.
5. To Rest Is To Walk Further
If you find life is becoming too monotonous, or work is getting on your nerves or if you find you need an inspiration or that you just deserve that break… just drop everything and go. If you are not going to save your own sanity, who is going to rescue it for you? Remember this, the world does not stop turning just because you stop. Even a short getaway to somewhere (un)familiar will help you to recalibrate and stimulate your senses, realign your goals and come back refreshed. Book a holiday today!